[calvinboy]

I have a couple of questions and was wondering if anyone else has experienced the same.

1. I have noticed that sometimes I have to let the car turn over several times before it starts. I know that with most cars I have owned they start right away, unless something is wrong. Oh, by the way bone stock and about 1170 miles. Cold or warm engine does not seem to matter. I have made a habit of tunring the key on, letting the gauges do their thing and then starting. The car always starts but I did not think this seemed right for a brand new car. Anyone else noticed this? Is it normal?

2. Noticed some black splatter on the floor of my garage, behind the exhaust. Just a small amount and it only seems to have happened once. Maybe a litte condensation....who knows.

I am new to the Subaru and any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[whiplash306]

The "cold" starts could be a variety of things. But I think you are doing the right thing by allowing the fuel pump to prime prior to actually starting the car..what sort of climate do you live in? Often times, if in a rigidly cold environment, even a new car won't immediately start without a turn over or two....just a thought. However, I also experience the black splatter in the garage. I believe it's nothing more than black sut (carbon). We have a dirtier burning motor to begin with due to it's being turbo charged. Give it some time, and you'll notice the bottom portion of your exhaust tip will also turn black...that is of course, unless you are aggressive about keeping it clean....

[blueballs]

I noticed this as well. Personally, I think the Subaru stock battery is no good. Invest in an Optima Red battery and start ups will be much faster.

[calvinboy]

Actually I live in the SF bay area so temps are very mild. In fact it has been in the 50-60's for the last week or so. Rarely freezes here.

I have used the optima batteries before and really like them. It was something I was planning on doing. (FYI I heard Costco has them for about $90. I will check in the next couple of days.) Blueballs did you upgrade to an optima and see a difference in this?

[blueballs]

In two of my older cars, 97 maxima and 93 infinity g20 I have placed an Optima battery and noticed a large difference especially when starting the cars. The same scenerio you described was common for my old cars until I installed an Optima. I will be placing one soon in my STi. I just want to get a little more use out of it before I replace it.

Make sure you get the Optima Red with the positive and negative posts reversed. You will have to extend your power wire if it isn't so it can reach.

Good luck. $90 is a good price! If you install it post up the difference!

[calvinboy]

I will have to check that out. Thanks for the info on the reversed posts. I would have been mad if I found that out when I got home. Typical luck though.